Fiesta Mexicana Grill — Restaurant in Concord

Terrible is the best word to describe this place. We were actually on our way to the Mexican restaurant down the street and accidentally made a wrong turn. We saw this restaurant and saw a bunch of cars and the outside looked inviting, so we opted to try it instead. I really wish we stuck to our original plan. The place was packed, which we expected since it was a Friday night during dinner rush. There was practically nowhere to stand and wait without getting in someone's way. All the hostess' and servers looked overwhelmed and the whole vibe was stressful. We contemplated leaving, but decided to stay since we had already been waiting. We were seated in a large booth that didn't look like it had been cleaned thoroughly. There was rice on the seat, straw wrappers pushed to the end of the table and hot sauces laying on their sides. We were almost immediately served two different salsas and some queso. The queso tasted like cardboard with lack of flavor. The salsas were ok, not terrible, but not great. The server was very kind, which honestly was the on good thing about our experience. She took our drink orders. She came back and said one of the beers was out of stock, which was disappointing, but totally understandable. Not worth being upset about. I ordered steak fajitas and asked to add chorizo and grilled jalapeños. My husband ordered the mexicana burrito with steak and chorizo. My husband didn't love the burrito and some pieces of his steak were so overcooked, it looked like jerky. Mine was completely inedible. None of it was hot, which is bizarre considering I got fajitas. The steak tasted like it was reheated and was incredibly chewy. There was no chorizo, but instead there was shrimp and some random pieces of chicken. They covered the top in pickled jalapeños. The amount of pickled jalapeños on top made the already bad flavor even worse. Usually when I get grilled jalapeños at other restaurants, they're fresh chopped, not jarred. The server came out and told us my chorizo would come out separately...it never came. I only ate a couple bites of mine and decided I was done. Once we were ready for the check, the server said they ran out of plates which is why I never got my chorizo. I told her it was fine since we were already ready for the check. She brought us the bill which still had the additional cost for the chorizo on it. After we gave her the credit card, another server brought a plate of chorizo, which we sent back. The cherry on top was going out my car after this terrible experience and finding where someone vomited all over the ground between my car and someone else's. I guess they must have eaten the food here too. Overall, super disappointed and will...

So, for YEARS, I've been fantasizing about a Mexican buffet. I have visited buffets of many types... American, Indian, and if course Chinese, but I had always talked about "You never see a Mexican buffet" 6 months or so. I saw a facebook ad about this restaurant featuring a Mexican lunch buffet. I was very excited, and since I live in Winston-Salem, I don't make my way to the Concord area all lot. I had the opportunity to get over there for the only purpose to try this lunch buffet. Atmosphere: typical "festive mexican" Service: Service was friendly and great. Prompt water refills and removing plates. Buffet: Everything looked great. Out of the gate, though, nothing is labeled. It's hard to know what everything is and spice level (hint: nothing was really spicy, so that's good if you're going into the unknown food wise). I started with just trying a little bit. (I didn't take pics of my plates, but I'll try to describe) A chicken in a brown sauce (dry 1/10), Cheese quesadilla (so good 10/10, I try to keep the carbs low but I would have eaten 8 if I could) chicken leg in a sauce (5/10, it wasn't bad, not amazing) rib (8.5/10, had a good "dry" sauce/rub, maybe ancho?, I ended up eating probably 6 or 7 over the course of my lunch), refried beans (standard good consistency 7.5/10) rice (same as beans. A good Mexican rice, pretty moist and a good flavor 7.5/10) There was several dishes that looked like it would go with a fajita, chicken and vegetables and steak and vegetables. Next to each was a chicken dish in a "queso" type sauce. Both of these were 9/10, moist not shredded chicken. Empanadas had dry chicken, same story with the taquito (I think it was one). Both had a bite and put aside with the chicken being dry. The churro was served chilled (unless it was something else), had a nice filling and cinnamon and sugar outside. It was really good. 8/10.

Price 14.50 plus tax. TBH, if I came back if go nuts on the ribs to get my money worth. Otherwise, for the price of lunch, it's a bit steep, but possibly understandable if you really enjoy and can get several plates. Otherwise, I'd stick to lunch specials on their ( or elsewhere) menu as it's usually around 9 bucks or less per plate.

Overall, I rate the experience a 2.5 but...

Fiesta Mexican in Concord, NC, is hands down one of the best Mexican dining experiences I’ve had! From the moment you walk in, the vibrant atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in a lively Mexican fiesta. The staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming you with warm smiles and prompt service.

The menu is packed with authentic Mexican flavors, and each dish is bursting with freshness and spice. I highly recommend starting with the tableside guacamole—creamy, fresh, and full of flavor. The fajitas are sizzling hot, perfectly seasoned, and generously portioned. I also tried the enchiladas, which were rich and delicious, with just the right amount of spice. The margaritas are not to be missed—refreshing and expertly crafted with a variety of flavors to choose from.

What sets Fiesta Mexican apart is not just the food, but the attention to detail in everything they do. The presentation of the dishes is beautiful, and the service is always attentive without being overbearing. Whether you’re out for a casual lunch or a festive dinner, this place hits the mark every time.

Overall, Fiest Mexican in Concord is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in a fun and welcoming environment. I can’t wait to return and try more dishes from their...